General Atomics

NCA investigation leads to Border Force seizing £1m at Heathrow

As a result of a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation, a man has been charged with money laundering after the seizure of £1 million in suitcases by the UK's Border Force at Heathrow Airport.



Image courtesy NCA

Mazen Al Shaar, 48, was stopped by Border Force officers on Saturday and the money was seized.

Al Shaar, from Hayes, Middlesex, was due to fly to Beirut. He appeared at appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Monday. A bail application was refused and he was remanded in custody to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on the 17th April for a pre-trial plea hearing.

Andy Noyes, NCA branch commander, said: “So many of the serious and organised crime threats facing the UK are driven by offenders’ desire for money.

“This detection of £1 million was because of brilliant work by Border Force officers which has now sparked our investigation.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: "This seizure highlights Border Force’s dedicated efforts to protect our borders and keep the public safe. Our officers are trained to spot suspicious behaviour and identify attempts to move illicit cash and other prohibited items across our borders.

"We continue to work closely with law enforcement partners, including the NCA to disrupt criminal networks."

Related

Doncaster Sheffield Airport takes another step towards reopening with new firefighting fleet
Doncaster Sheffield Airport fire appliance
Doncaster Sheffield Airport takes another step towards reopening with new firefighting fleet
Doncaster Sheffield Airport has ordered three specialist aviation firefighting vehicles as preparations continue for its planned reopening.
UK SMEs risk falling behind in AI race, NatWest warns
Engineer male advance robotic machine designer team talking with electronic component part supplier business consulting in heavy machinery industry concept.
UK SMEs risk falling behind in AI race, NatWest warns
Larger businesses are adopting AI at nearly twice the rate of smaller firms, with NatWest warning that skills and investment barriers could leave many SMEs struggling to keep pace.
Aerospace Focus

1 Oct 2026

Why skilled returners can help meet defence job targets
Natalie Destry
Why skilled returners can help meet defence job targets
A new white paper published by STEM Returners and backed by Vice Admiral (Retd) Sir Martin Connell KCB CBE, is urging the UK Government to help bring experienced professionals back into the workforce and meet defence recruitment targets.
SEA to provide Oshen with additional hydrophones
OSHEN C-Star
SEA to provide Oshen with additional hydrophones
Following the integration of SEA’s hydrophones onto Plymouth-based Oshen’s C-Star platforms, additional hydrophones will now provide low-power acoustic listening capability into more of its uncrewed surface platforms.
Defence Member News

2 Oct 2026

Tiberius Aerospace secures $500m Sceptre contract
SCEPTRE
Tiberius Aerospace secures $500m Sceptre contract
A $500 million collaboration agreement for Tiberius Aerospace's Sceptre programme aims to strengthen UK-US defence cooperation through shared technology development, manufacturing and AI-enabled industrial collaboration.
Defence Member News

1 Oct 2026

More than 25% of UK defence firms plan to invest £100m+ over the next year
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Defence Secretary Wes Streeting visit BAE Systems' facility in Barrow-in-Furness, Scotland, on 30 July 2026. Image: MOD Crown Copyright/Lauren Hurley
More than 25% of UK defence firms plan to invest £100m+ over the next year
Over a quarter of UK defence firms will invest over £100 million in the next year, with air defence, counter-drone systems and cybersecurity as priorities.
Defence

1 Oct 2026

Orbex’s UK manufacturing assets and IP acquired by Omnidea
Omnidea engineering testing platform
Orbex’s UK manufacturing assets and IP acquired by Omnidea
Portugal's Omnidea has purchased the manufacturing assets and intellectual property (IP) of British rocket manufacturer Orbex UK, which ceased operations in February this year and went into administration.
Member News Space

2 Oct 2026

Filtronic wins SpaceX contract to support Starlink network
ground station
Filtronic wins SpaceX contract to support Starlink network
Sedgefield headquartered Filtronic has won a $68.1 million (£51.52m) order from SpaceX to support its Starlink network, highlighting the growing global demand for UK-developed space technology.
Member News Space

1 Oct 2026

Why skilled returners can help meet defence job targets
Natalie Destry
Why skilled returners can help meet defence job targets
A new white paper published by STEM Returners and backed by Vice Admiral (Retd) Sir Martin Connell KCB CBE, is urging the UK Government to help bring experienced professionals back into the workforce and meet defence recruitment targets.
BAE Systems proves complete counter-drone kill chain in Scotland trials
Container and Sensor
BAE Systems proves complete counter-drone kill chain in Scotland trials
BAE Systems has demonstrated its complete BATS counter-drone chain in Scotland, integrating sensors, electronic warfare and a gun system.
Security

1 Oct 2026

Doncaster Sheffield Airport takes another step towards reopening with new firefighting fleet
Doncaster Sheffield Airport fire appliance
Doncaster Sheffield Airport takes another step towards reopening with new firefighting fleet
Doncaster Sheffield Airport has ordered three specialist aviation firefighting vehicles as preparations continue for its planned reopening.
New tools to tackle prison drones, drugs and help offenders into work
Drone flying over prison perimeter
New tools to tackle prison drones, drugs and help offenders into work
Lord Chancellor Alex Norris has announced a series of new measures aimed at tackling prison drones, curbing substance abuse and assisting offenders in securing work and accommodation.
Security

1 Oct 2026